Manufactured in Beauvais, France and replacing the stopgap 600 range, the 3000 series was an extensive lineup of tractors featuring radical new design from the chassis, cab and transmission.

Prior to 1990, the 3000 series topped out at 107hp with the six cylinder straight MF3090.

With advances in machinery size and output, the horsepower required to power implements was creeping up.

Farmers required a mid-sized framed tractor with a good power-to-weight ratio that also packed a punch.

While Ford released the 125hp 8340 in 1991, John Deere the 130hp 6900 in 1994, and Fiat the F140 in 1993, Massey Ferguson had beaten them all with the release off their 3100 range in 1990, with the 125hp MF3125 at the helm.

This was joined by the 3120 in 1993, and while the 3125 often gets the spotlight the 3120 is almost equal in every way. In fact, it is 250kg lighter and has a higher torque figure than its 5hp larger sibling.

Powered by the new Perkins Quadram 1000 series engines, the MF3120 is fitted with a six litre, turbocharged powerplant and produces 120hp. Tipping the scales at 4.75 tons , the 3120 is also capable of lifting 6.5 tons at the rear with 52l/min of oil flow on tap.

Due to its slightly later arrival, the 3120 is fitted with MF’s now famed ‘DynaShift’ transmission which was unveiled in 1992 and provided four clutchless powershifts in each gear.

Operated by a small steering column mounted lever, the operator could progress up or down through four clutchless powershifts without taking a hand of the steering wheel. The selected Dynashift range, A-D, was highlighted on the dashboard.

An adiditional Hi/Lo provided 32F/32R with 40kph road speed, further complemented by a mechanical shuttle.

Key to the 3000/3100 series was their technological features, Autotronic and Datatronic. AutoTronic features a whole range of automatic functions designed to relieve the operator of repetitive, arduous tasks particularly during headland turns.

In essence, Autotronic was an electronic link between the PTO, engine, differential lock, four-wheel drive, and gearbox.

This included auto disengagement of the differential lock and PTO when an implement is raised and re-engagement when lowered, true four wheel drive braking as well as automatic disengagement of the four wheel drive at speeds over 9mph.

Essentially, this was the world’s headland management system.

Aimed at contractors, optional, a pillar mounted DataTronic display system provides the operator with an array of information which could be scrolled through such as fuel/hour, acres/hour, fuel used, forward speed and much more.

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